The image of crews scattering rose petals into rough seas is poised to become an enduring memory of the 80th anniversary Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.
As early leader LawConnect sailed past Bondi Beach under leaden skies on Friday afternoon, owner Christian Beck and guest crew member Ian Thorpe released a stream of red and white petals into the Tasman Sea as a tribute to the victims of the Bondi terror attack on December 14.
Race leader LawConnect scatters rose petals in the water as they pass Bondi Beach.Credit: Wolter Peeters
The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia announced on Christmas Eve that 15 boats would take part in the tribute to mark the 15 lives lost in the attack.
But by time the cannon sounded at 1pm on Boxing Day to mark the start of the race, CYCA commodore Sam Haynes said all 129 boats in the fleet had endorsed the initiative.
โThe tribute that we mentioned for the tragic events in Bondi on Sunday 14th has been very well received by the Jewish community, but also internationally recognised,โ Haynes said ahead of the race start on Saturday morning.
โThank you to the people who would also like to make a tribute, and there are some rose petals at the back [of the club].
โWe actually have an abundance. [Sydney business] Mr Roses supplied extra in case we wanted them, which I think we do, if anyone would like to pick up some and scatter as we pass Bondi.โ
As sailors made their way to the docks, boxes of petals were placed at the entrance for crew members to take on board and release off Bondi Beach after turning right out of Sydney Heads. It was a small but powerful gesture to acknowledge the shocking and tragic events just 12 days earlier, and a sobering moment of reflection following a frenetic start to the race.
